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POLIO Message of hope to India
The Rotary Grand Tour is hitting the highways next month As at 3rd April this year, there have been only
and needs cars of all shapes and sizes to take part. eight new cases of polio worldwide: seven cases
Everyone is welcome to join this amazing road trip across were reported in Afghanistan, a war-torn country
Great Britain and Ireland from 21st – 24th May. which has particular challenges in regard to
delivering vaccine to all young children, and one
You pick your team, car, route, where you stay and raise case in Pakistan (the first of the year).
sponsorship. To help you on your way, Rotary across the
country is setting up a few check and photo points at places The most recent case was a 12-month old boy in
of interest where you can have a break, get your logbook an area difficult to access by vaccination teams;
stamped as proof of passage or take a selfie near a indeed it was inaccessible for nearly nine months.
landmark. You will have the opportunity to meet other The child had only been vaccinated once against
travellers. You can drive as near or as far as you wish and polio. Multiple doses of oral polio vaccine must be
there is no requirement to drive for all four days. When you administered for a child to be fully protected from
have completed your epic journey, join us at the finish line polio and every dose further strengthens a child’s
for an end-of-tour party in Yorkshire on the 24th May immunity against the virus.
(optional).
Heart breaking stories such as these are why
Currently known check and photo points, include the Brands Rotary must continue to support the campaign so
Hatch Circuit, Beamish Museum and Haynes International that the disease will no longer paralyse children
Motor Museum. across the world.
District 1175 will have a check point at The Orangery, Roger and Paula Byrom, plus Paul and Jane
Powderham Castle. With the help of Dawlish Water Rotary Cockcroft, from Braunton Caen, were among 93
Club there will be a gazebo present in the car park and Rotarians from the UK, including ADG John Page
Rotarians will be there to sign the 'log books' of any cars and his wife, Paignton President Marion Page
that visit along the way. flying to Delhi for a briefing before moving to four
different immunisation sites across India. There
Register your interest by 27th April were further parties of Rotarians from Japan, the
US, Australia and Holland.
John and Marion volunteered to help in Delhi,
working in the slum areas, delivering two drops of
inoculation fluid into the mouths of youngsters
aged five years or younger. As each one was
inoculated, the little finger of his or her left hand
